Your home’s HVAC system is very important; neglecting it is not a good idea. If you are reading this article, you are clearly interested in extending the life of your HVAC system. This article is for you!
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It’s hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. Know this stuff ahead of time.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Shoot the grass away from the unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
If you want to ensure you choose a trustworthy HVAC contractor, invest a little time in researching a few different companies, checking out their reputations. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Hvac System
You should now have a good understanding of how important it is to maintain your HVAC system correctly. It can be quite costly to fix a failed HVAC system. Use the tips you’ve just been given to keep yours in working order.
